Gillingham came from behind to beat Brighton's under-21s 3-2 in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Lewis Walker put Gills infront but Brighton levelled through Evan Ferguson before the break and took the lead on the hour through Todd Miller. Walker netted his second, however, and Will Wright scored what turned out to be the winner with a precision free-kick.

Referee Sam Purkiss controversially ruled out a fourth Gillingham goal for handball, having initially given it.

There were just the four changes for the Gills despite manager Neil Harris’ pre-match comments about the competition being pointless. Regulars Mikael Mandron, Robbie McKenzie and Shaun Williams all started.

Injury kept a host of midfielders out of contention but there was a first return to the squad for youngster Josh Chambers after he signed a professional deal while Dom Jefferies also returned after several weeks out injured. Both were introduced in the second half.

The match was a slow-starter and Brighton striker Ferguson was the closest to getting in on goal, wasting one opportunity with a heavy touch and heading at Jake Turner with another soon after.

It was the Gills who took the lead after 19 minutes, a nice move that started with a ball forward from Alex MacDonald that split the defence and a low cross from Mandron converted by Walker. It was his first for the Gills in the right net, having scored an own goal in the opening EFL Trophy match this season against Charlton.

The Gills didn’t have the lead for long, however. With 28 gone a dream of a cross from Sam Packham, with pace and accuracy, was met by Ferguson, beating Wright to the ball and guiding the ball home past Jake Turner.

There was concern for Gills midfielder Williams late in the half when he rolled his ankle. He managed until the break, and even had a shot at goal that keeper James Beadle claimed relatively easily, before being replaced by Jefferies.

Gills made a positive start after the break with a couple of half chances for Walker. Visiting keeper Beadle had to save from Hakeeb Adelakun and a defensive block denied Ryan Law on the follow-up.

Brighton got themselves infront with an hour gone, a cross-field ball catching Gillingham left-back Law out, leaving Cameron Peupion to get into the box. The wide-man picked out Ferguson who in turn fed Miller and he fired home.

The Gills weren’t finished, however, and the game was level again when Cheye Alexander’s 71st minute cross was met at the back post by Walker, heading the ball home and claiming his second of the night.

Gills had only managed five goals in 14 competitive games prior to Tuesday night but they got a third at Priestfield to go infront. Lively substitute Chambers was fouled on the edge of the box and Wright got to show what he could do with a set-piece, firing home into the bottom corner from 18 yards to put his side back infront.

Gillingham thought they had a fourth with 10 minutes left as Wright’s corner looked to have been turned in by Walker but the referee, who initially gave the goal, ruled it out for a handball after consulting with his linesman.

The Gills ended the game well and Joe Gbode came close to scoring, his shot going just the wrong side of the upright with a minute left.

Gillingham: Turner, Alexander, Law, Wright, Baggott, Williams (Jefferies 46mins), McKenzie (Chambers 68mins), MacDonald (Akehurst 77mins), Adelakun (Kashket 68mins), Mandron (Gbode 68mins), Walker. Subs not used: Morris, Ehmer.

Brighton: Beadle, Ferguson, Spong, Turns, Tsoungui, Furlong, Packham (Jackson 79mins), Moran, Peupion, Miller (Barrington 68mins), Hinshelwood. Subs not used: Everitt, Chouchane, Baker-Boaitey, Ifill, Cahill.

Attendance: 838 (53 away)

Referee: Sam Purkiss